hang around

verb

hung around; hanging around; hangs around
Synonyms of hang aroundnext
1
intransitive, informal
a
: to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing
spent the day just hanging around with her friends
b
: to stay in or at a place for a period of time
had to hang around for over an hour, waiting for the bus
She didn't feel like hanging around at the club afterward …David Calder
2
transitive informal : to pass time or stay in or at (a place) or in the company of (someone)
hung around the house all day
My mother doesn't want me hanging around the park alone.Judy Blume
When he was 10 years old, Lester taught him-self to windsurf by hanging around the Europeans and Canadian tourists who rented boards on the beach at Varadero.Sam Moses

Examples of hang around in a Sentence

if you hang around until my husband gets home, you can meet him
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Angels trailed 3-2 in the seventh on Sunday, having done a nice job to hang around despite starter Jack Kochanowicz getting knocked out in the third inning. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 31 May 2026 Our Andrew Greif spoke with former Knicks players who played with his father, Rick, and remembered the young Brunson hanging around the team. Tim Rohan, NBC news, 27 May 2026 The Canadiens hung around, largely thanks to goaltender Jakub Dobeš. Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 26 May 2026 Warm temperatures, frequent rain, and shaded backyards create the perfect environment for algae growth—especially in the South, where humidity hangs around nearly all year. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hang around

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of hang around was in 1823

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hang around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang%20around. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

hang around

verb
informal
: to pass time or stay idly in or at
hung around the house all day
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